Queen Anne's County, MD Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Section 9-12D of the Queen Anne's County Code ties microchips to registration. Registration is required for any dog, cat, or ferret four months old or older, so the microchip rule reaches all three species. Before a registration can be issued, the animal must have an implanted microchip. The Commission, meaning the Animal Control Commission established under Chapter 9, can waive the requirement under appropriate circumstances; the quoted text gives no list of what those circumstances are.

The microchip then becomes part of the record. Section 9-12E requires every registration to include the date of issuance, the owner's name, address, and telephone number, the animal's name, breed, color, and sex, the rabies vaccination and expiration date, the rabies tag number, the microchip number, a photo of the animal, and the name of the issuing party. A valid rabies certificate from a licensed veterinarian is also required before registration under § 9-12C.

The tag rule depends on the chip. A registration tag is issued with the registration certificate. If the Commission has waived the microchip requirement, dogs must wear tags at all times, except when participating in a competition where such displays are prohibited, when hunting, or while undergoing organized training. Tags go on a collar or harness around the dog's neck or body and must be easily visible. Owners of dogs, cats, and ferrets keep the tags and certificates for the life of the registered animals or until the animal is transferred to another owner or custodian.

Microchip fees also surface at the Animal Services Center. For an impounded animal, the Center can require payment of care charges and any unpaid registration or microchip fees before release (§ 9-11). Under § 9-23D an owner redeeming an animal must show a current rabies vaccination and possess or purchase a valid county animal registration. The registration certificate must be made available for inspection on request by an Animal Control Officer, Environmental Health Officer, or any law enforcement officer (§ 9-12G).